Saudi Arabian singer arrested for dabbing on stage

Abdallah Al Shaharani may face punishment for promoting drug use in the ultra-religious kingdom.

A Saudi Arabian singer was arrested after performing 'the dab' – a banned dance move – on stage. Abdallah Al Shaharani has apologised for dabbing at a concert in ultra Conservative Islamic kingdom.

The dab is a seemingly innocent dance move in which a person points one arm upwards towards the sky while bowing their head into their other arm. However, the move is said by some to reference smoking highly potent cannabis oil.

Shaharani, an actor, singer and TV host, claims he spontaneously broke into the move during an energetic performance in front of an adoring crowd on Monday night (7 August).

The crowd went wild as he brazenly dabbed while wearing a traditional robe, showing disregard for the National Committee for Drug Control's decision to ban the practice.

Secretary-General of the committee, Abdul Ella Al Sharif, told Saudi media that the artist's dab was "contrary to the national strategy to combat drugs".

Sharif said local police have been directed to "apply the law against" Shaharani in the same way they would for all those who "incite or advocate for abuse of drugs".